The Shavrov Sh-2 (later ASh-2)[3] was a 1930s Soviet amphibious sesquiplane flying boat developed from the Sh-1, with a more powerful engine, slightly increased size and amphibious undercarriage. The Sh-2 could carry three people including the crew.
Sh-2 | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Role | Amphibious aircraft Type of aircraft |
Manufacturer | Zavod 23, Zavod 31, Aeroflot, and others |
Designer | Vadim Borisovich Shavrov |
First flight | 11 November 1930[1] |
Introduction | 1933[1] |
Retired | 1964[1] |
Primary user | Soviet Air Forces (VVS) |
Produced | 1934-1952[1] |
Number built | 700+[2] |
Developed from | Sh-1 |
The Shavrov Sh-2 was developed from the Sh-1 flying boat prototype, which had been built in Shavrov's apartment and which first flew on 21 June, 1929. The Sh-2 was a slight enlargement of the Sh-1, with some detail improvements.[4]
The hull was primarily constructed of pine with the keel and longerons being ash, with a 3mm plywood skinning covering 25 frames, of which 4 were watertight bulkheads.[3] The planing bottom was covered with 6mm plywood, and the entire structure was covered in doped fabric.[3] The cockpit seated three, with a pilot and passenger in the front, both with controls, and an additional passenger behind them while cargo or additional fuel could be carried in the nose and under the seats.[3] The wings formed a staggered sesquiplane, and the outer wing panels, which were given 3 degree of dihedral could be folded back along the fuselage.[3] The centre section used the Kol'chugaliminum aluminium alloy and had a dead eye for hoisting onto ships.[3] The small cantilevered lower wing served as attachment for the stabilizing floats. The cruciform tail had horn balanced elevators, while the rudder was slightly enlarged over that of the Sh-1.[3] The undercarriage retracted by rotating forwards and up in an arc until the axle was level with the cockpit coaming, pulled into position with cables and springs.[3] It could also be fitted with skis for winter operations from ice and snow, while some examples had the undercarriage removed, or weren't built with them.[3] During 1950s, more powerful versions of M-11 were fitted, and some examples were modified with enclosed cabins.[1]
The prototype Sh-2, which had been built at Zavod No.23 in Leningrad made its first flight on November 11, 1930.[1] State Acceptance trials were carried out through 1931, and were passed on 9 May, 1932, without problems, having previously passed its trials for Aeroflot, and series production began in 1933, with the first production batch of 270 being built at Zavod No.31 in Taganrog.[1] Production eventually exceeded 700 aircraft, with the last examples being built in small workshops, in 1952.[1] The Sh-2 remained in service until 1964[1] and set a number of unofficial flying boat and seaplanes records.[citation needed] The Sh-2 replaced the obsolete MU-1 floatplane, whose design dated from before World War One, with the Soviet Air Forces.[1] Examples were operated from the SS Chelyuskin, Fyodor Litke and Krasin icebreakers as well as other vessels.[1] One example was used as a glider tug for the Gribovsky G-16 hydrofoil flying boat glider prototype.[1] Aeroflot was not only a major operator of the Sh-2, they also built them in their own workshops, including 30 to 35 in 1941.[1]
On 28 August 1942, the Finns captured two Sh-2s and impressed them into service in the liaison role.[2]
Data from Soviet aircraft and aviation, 1917-1941 [5]
General characteristics
Performance
Related lists
Soviet military aircraft during World War II | |
---|---|
Fighters | |
Bombers | |
Ground attack | |
Trainers | |
Transporters · Gliders | |
Reconnaissance | |
Prototypes |